U.S. patent number 8,000,171 [Application Number 12/180,954] was granted by the patent office on 2011-08-16 for seismic sensor housing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to WesternGeco L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Harvey Ray Grimes, Jean-Michel Hache, Gunnar A. Lindeman, Francis Maissant, Raymond R. Ness, Jr., Kenneth Pedersen, Anders Falke Roeraas, Jon Mangus Soerli, Roar Stenhaug.
United States Patent |
8,000,171 |
Hache , et al. |
August 16, 2011 |
Seismic sensor housing
Abstract
An example of a cable positioning mechanism for directing a
cable into a seismic sensor housing for connection with the seismic
sensor includes a member sized to connect with a seismic sensor
housing, the cable passing through the member at opposing anchor
points for operational connection to the seismic sensor between the
anchor points, wherein the cable is oriented through the member at
an angle that is not perpendicular to a vertical axis of the sensor
housing.
Inventors: |
Hache; Jean-Michel (Bourg la
Reine, FR), Grimes; Harvey Ray (Slependen,
NO), Lindeman; Gunnar A. (Haslum, NO),
Soerli; Jon Mangus (Svelvik, NO), Pedersen;
Kenneth (Oslo, NO), Roeraas; Anders Falke
(Elksmarka, NO), Stenhaug; Roar (Asker,
NO), Ness, Jr.; Raymond R. (Anchorage, AK),
Maissant; Francis (Oslo, NO) |
Assignee: |
WesternGeco L.L.C. (Houston,
TX)
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Family
ID: |
41568546 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/180,954 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100020647 A1 |
Jan 28, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
367/188 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V
1/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01V
1/16 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;367/188,177,87 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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02/14905 |
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Feb 2002 |
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WO |
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WO 2010/014414 |
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Feb 2010 |
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WO |
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Other References
Sensor Nederland B. V., PE-3/D Land Case--Equipment Built for
Seismic Front Line, Input-Output Inc, 2006. cited by other .
International Search Report and Written Opinion; Appl. No.
PCT/US2009/050785; dated Feb. 2, 2010. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Pihulic; Dan
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A seismic sensor housing, the housing comprising: a body
disposing a seismic sensor; a coupling mechanism positioned at a
bottom side of the body and in operational connection with the
seismic sensor, a vertical axis extending through the body and the
coupling mechanism, and a horizontal axis extending perpendicular
to the vertical axis; a cable electrically connected to the seismic
sensor; and a positioning member connected to the body on a top
side opposite from the coupling mechanism, the vertical axis
extending through the positioning member, wherein the positioning
member passes the cable through an entry point orienting the cable
to extend away from the body at an angle that is offset from the
vertical axis and oriented upward relative to the coupling
mechanism and the horizontal axis.
2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the cable is physically
connected to the positioning member at the entry point.
3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the cable and the positioning
member are integrally formed.
4. The housing of claim 1, wherein the positioning member forms a
cap sealingly enclosing the seismic sensor in the body.
5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the positioning member is in
connection with a cap member that is connected to the body.
6. The housing of claim 1, wherein the positioning member
facilitates movement of the cable along a plane substantially
parallel to the vertical axis.
7. The housing of claim 1, further including a flexing section in
connection between the cable and the positioning member proximate
to the entry point.
8. The housing of claim 7, wherein the flexing section includes
members enhancing pivoting of the cable proximate to the entry
point in a plane substantially parallel to the vertical axis.
9. A cable positioning mechanism for directing a cable into a
seismic sensor housing for connection with the seismic sensor, the
mechanism comprising: a member sized to connect with a seismic
sensor housing having a coupling mechanism positioned at a bottom
side of the seismic sensor housing, a vertical axis extending
through the coupling mechanism, and a horizontal axis extending
perpendicular to the vertical axis; and the member comprising
opposing anchor points to pass the cable into the housing for
operational connection to the seismic sensor between the anchor
points, wherein the anchor points orient the cable to extend away
from the seismic sensor housing at an upward angle relative to the
coupling mechanism and the horizontal axis.
10. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 9, wherein the cable
is oriented through the member at an angle offset from the vertical
axis.
11. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 9, wherein the cable
and the member are integrally formed.
12. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 9, wherein the cable
is physically connected to the member proximate to each of the
opposing anchor points to transfer tension in the cable to the
member and the seismic sensor housing.
13. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 9, further including a
flexing section formed along the cable proximate to each of the
opposing anchor points, the flexing section promoting movement of
the cable in a plane parallel to the vertical axis.
14. A method for operationally connecting a cable to a seismic
sensor, comprising: providing a body carrying a seismic sensor, a
coupling mechanism positioned at a bottom side of the body in
operational connection with the sensor, a vertical axis extending
through the body and the coupling mechanism, and a horizontal axis
extending perpendicular to the vertical axis; and directing the
cable into the body through an entry point; and orienting the cable
at the entry point at an angle offset from the vertical axis and
extending upward relative to the coupling mechanism and the
horizontal axis.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting a
positioning member, forming the entry point, to the housing
opposite from the coupling mechanism, wherein the vertical axis
extends through the positioning member and wherein the cable is
integrally directed into the body by the positioning member.
16. The method of claim 15, further including a flexing section
formed along the cable proximate to the positioning mechanism
promoting movement of the cable in a plane substantially parallel
to the vertical axis.
17. A cable positioning mechanism for directing a cable into a
seismic sensor housing for connection with the seismic sensor, the
mechanism comprising: a member sized to connect with a seismic
sensor housing having a coupling mechanism positioned at a bottom
side of the seismic sensor housing, a vertical axis extending
through the coupling mechanism, and a horizontal axis extending
perpendicular to the vertical axis; and the member comprising
opposing anchor points to pass the cable into the housing for
operational connection to the seismic sensor between the anchor
points, wherein the anchor points orient the cable to extend away
from the seismic sensor housing at an angle that is offset from the
vertical axis and oriented upward relative to the seismic sensor
housing and the horizontal axis.
18. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 17, wherein the cable
and the member are integrally formed.
19. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 17, wherein the cable
is physically connected to the member proximate to each of the
opposing anchor points to transfer tension in the cable to the
member and the seismic sensor housing.
20. The cable positioning mechanism of claim 17, further including
a flexing section formed along the cable proximate to each of the
opposing anchor points, the flexing section promoting movement of
the cable in a plane parallel to the vertical axis.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to housing assemblies for seismic
sensors or detectors.
BACKGROUND
Land based seismic operations commonly use seismic detectors,
referred to as geophones. The geophones are contained within
housings. The housing protects the geophone and the geophone-cable
connection from water and also provides physical protection to the
geophone. Geophone housings also must provide entry to the geophone
by the cable. The housings must also be adapted for the environment
in which the geophone is to be utilized. For example, in many
conditions the geophone must provide a low-profile to reduce wind
noise during operation of the system. However, in other
environments such as deep snow, transition zones, and swamps it is
necessary to plant the geophone assembly deep thus needing for the
cables to be oriented upward. To meet the needs of the various
geographical and environmental conditions, separate inventories of
seismic equipment are commonly maintained.
SUMMARY
An example of a seismic sensor housing includes a body disposing a
seismic sensor; a coupling mechanism positioned at one side of the
body and in operational connection with the sensor; a vertical axis
extending through the body and the coupling mechanism; a cable
electrically connected to the sensor; and a positioning member
connected to the body on a side opposite from the coupling
mechanism, the positioning member passing the cable through an
entry point orienting the cable into the body at an angle that is
not perpendicular to the vertical axis.
An example of a cable positioning mechanism for directing a cable
into a seismic sensor housing for connection with the seismic
sensor includes a member sized to connect with a seismic sensor
housing, the cable passing through the member at opposing anchor
points for operational connection to the seismic sensor between the
anchor points, wherein the cable is oriented through the member at
an angle that is not perpendicular to a vertical axis of the sensor
housing.
An example of a method for operationally connecting a cable to a
seismic sensor includes the steps of providing a body carrying a
seismic sensor, a coupling mechanism positioned at one side of the
body in operational connection with the sensor, and a vertical axis
extending through the body and the coupling mechanism; and
directing the cable into the body at an angle that is not
perpendicular to the vertical axis or parallel to the vertical
axis.
The foregoing has outlined some of the features and technical
advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed
description of the invention that follows may be better understood.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present
invention will be best understood with reference to the following
detailed description of a specific embodiment of the invention,
when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a conceptual, partial cut-away elevation view of an
example of a seismic sensor housing of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a seismic sensor
housing in the low-profile position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the side of an example of a
seismic sensor housing of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example of seismic sensor
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not
necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are
designated by the same reference numeral through the several
views.
Environmental conditions and geographic regions dictate desirable
features and profiles of sensor housings. For example, low-profile
sensor housings with the cable maintained relatively horizontal or
parallel to ground level are desired in regions such as the arctic
tundra, desert, mountains, and plains to reduce wind noise. In deep
snow, swamps, and transition zones and the like it is desired to
plant the housing and sensor deep in the snow, water or mud. In
these conditions, it is a benefit to have the cables extending
upward along a vertical axis to maintain coupling with the ground
and to facilitate the use of planting tools.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a seismic sensor
housing assembly of the present invention, generally denoted by the
numeral 10. Housing assembly 10 is adapted for deployment of the
contained seismic sensor in a variety of diverse environments.
Housing assembly 10 includes a body 12 and a cable positioning
member 14. Body 12 has an interior cavity 16 that holds a seismic
sensor 18, referred to herein as a geophone. A coupling mechanism
22, such as a spike or base, is in operational connection with
geophone 18 for providing a means to seismically connect the
geophone and earth. Coupling mechanism 22 is positioned at the
bottom of body 12. Cable 20 is electrically connected to geophone
18. Positioning member 14 is positioned at the open top of body 12
and directs cable 20 into body 12.
The illustrated sensor housing assemblies 10 have a longitudinal or
vertical axis 26 that is identified as the axis extending through
coupling member 22 and into the earth when placed. Horizontal axis
28 is substantially perpendicular to vertical axis 26 and may be
substantially parallel to the ground surface 30. In the illustrated
examples, a vertical plane is the plane substantially parallel to
vertical axis 26.
Cable positioning member 14 may be integrally connected with cable
20 and is securable with body 12. Positioning member 14 provides
cable entry and anchor points 24, identified on opposing sides as
points 24a and 24b. Points 24 identify the cable entry into the
assembled housing for operational connection with sensor 18. In the
illustrated examples, cable 20 is oriented at point 24 at an angle
38 offset from horizontal axis 28 and at an angle 40 offset from
vertical axis 26. This orientation of the entry of cable 20 at
points 24 is counter to the traditional sensors and sensor
housings.
Cable 10 is functionally and operationally connected to body 12 in
a manner to facilitate the use of housing 10 and sensor 18 in
diverse environments. For example, cable 20 is connected to body 12
through member 14 in a manner such that it is moveable within a
vertical plane. Further, cable 20 is oriented relative to housing
assembly 10 in a manner to provide a low-profile configuration,
such as in FIG. 2, and also allow for utilizing a planting tool and
maintaining seismic coupling with the earth when cable 20 is
oriented substantially parallel to vertical axis 26 as illustrated
in FIG. 1. For example, housing assembly 10 is illustrated with
cables 20 pivoting upward in the vertical plane away from ground 30
in FIG. 1. Cables 20 pivot upward at anchor points 24. The upward
orientation of cables 20 may be provided by tension applied during
planting into ground 30 or may be maintained by material such as
snow or mud that surrounds the planted sensor and housing.
In the illustrated examples, cable 20 and positioning member 14 are
physically connected to one another at point 24 so that tension on
cable 20 is applied to positioning member 14 and not to the
connection between cable 20 and sensor 18.
Cable positioning member 14 may further include flexing section 32
further facilitating movement of cable 20 in the vertical direction
while urging cable 20 to a base position. Flexing section 32 may be
a sleeve member connected to cable 20 proximate to positioning
member 14, a portion of cable 20, or may be an integral portion of
member 14 and cable 20. For example, in FIG. 1, flexing section 32
is integrally formed with cable 20 and positioning member 14.
Flexing section 32 includes valleys 34 formed on opposing sides of
cable 20 along the vertical axis such that flexing of cable 20 is
promoted along the vertical plane.
Refer now to FIG. 2 wherein another example of a housing assembly
10 of the present invention is illustrated. In this example, cable
20 is shown in a low profile position wherein cable 20 extends
substantially parallel to horizontal axis 28 (FIG. 1) after
extending outward at anchor and cable entry point 24 at angle 38
offset from horizontal axis 28. In this position, housing assembly
10 provides a low profile and limits wind noise. In this example,
the low profile is the original or relaxed position for cables 20.
It is also noted that in the example illustrated in FIG. 2 that
cable positioning member 14 also serves as the cap that sealingly
encloses the geophone in the housing.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another example of a seismic sensor
housing 10 of the present invention. Housing assembly 10 is shown
in the low-profile, or relaxed position, wherein cable 20 extends
substantially parallel out of housing 10. In this example,
positioning member 14 is shown in addition to a cap 36. In other
words, positioning member 14 is positioned in functional connection
with cap 36 to enclose the geophone within body 12.
Refer now to FIG. 4 illustrating another example of seismic sensor
housing assembly 10. In this illustration the elements on the left
side of the housing 10 are designated with subscripts "a" and the
elements on the right side of housing 10 are designated by the
subscript "b". The left side illustrates cable 20a extended upward
in the vertical plane and the right side illustrates cable 20b in
the low-profile position. The resting position is in the
illustrated examples is the low profile position.
From the foregoing detailed description of specific embodiments of
the invention, it should be apparent that a seismic sensor housing
that is novel has been disclosed. Although specific embodiments of
the invention have been disclosed herein in some detail, this has
been done solely for the purposes of describing various features
and aspects of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting
with respect to the scope of the invention. It is contemplated that
various substitutions, alterations, and/or modifications, including
but not limited to those implementation variations which may have
been suggested herein, may be made to the disclosed embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims which follow.
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